SKOPJE,
26 April 2013: New data from the fourth round of UNICEF’s Multiple
Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) provide evidence of improvement in a broad
range of common, health and education indicators. However, continuing disparities, widening
gaps in early childhood development, and slow progress in child protection call
for a renewed commitment.

At an event to launch the latest MICS
data, UNICEF and partners reflected on the findings of the international household survey,
concluding that the numbers behind the national averages are key to ensuring all
children enjoy their rights.

From left to right: Mr. Zoran Stojanov, UNICEF
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mr. Spiro Ristovski, Minister of
Labour and Social Policy, Mr. Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative, Mr.
Pance Kralev, Minister of Education and Science and Mr. Nasuf Ipcja,
State Secretary, Ministry of Health at the launch of the latest MICS
data

“The value of MICS data is in understanding inequities and disparities
behind the national averages. And
clearly the numbers show that investment and interventions targeted to those
who are missing out do actually pay off,” said Mr. Sheldon Yett, UNICEF, Country
Representative.

The numbers show that progress is
notable in many areas both on the national level and among the women and children
living in Roma settlements. Improvement
in access to primary education among the poor (from 86% in 2005 to 96% in 2011)
and among Roma boys and girls, have contributed to the country achieving almost
universal access to primary school (98% in 2011). Likewise, the gains at the national level in
access to secondary education (up from 63% in 2005 to 83%) are greatly the
result of gains in access among the poor (33% in 2005 to 62% in 2011) and Roma.

“I’m really pleased to see that the
numbers show that the reforms in education are producing results,” said Mr.
Pance Kralev, Minister of Education and Science. “Since 2007/2008 legislation is
in place for nine year primary school and compulsory secondary education, with
a focus on developing key competencies defined by European Union as necessary
for lifelong learning.”

The numbers also show significant
progress in early childhood development; however looking further into the
numbers there is worrying new evidence of widening gaps. For example, while access
to early childhood development services has almost doubled at the national
level (from 11% in 2005 to 22% in 2011), they show that children from the
richest families and children living in urban areas are the primary ones
benefiting - the gap between the rich and the poor in 2005 was 24 percentage
points, while the gap in 2011 is 56 percentage points.

From left to right: Mr. Spiro Ristovski, Minister of
Labour and Social Policy, Mr. Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative, and
Mr. Pance Kralev, Minister of Education and Science at the launch of the
latest MICS data

“With the data presented today we get a
clear picture of the situation of children and women in the Republic of
Macedonia, from different aspects, which for us ministries and other
representatives from the Government here today, give indicators and an excellent
roadmap for our future efforts,” said Mr. Spiro Ristovski, Minister of Labor
and Social Policy.

Despite the numerous gains, the numbers
alert to persisting disparities that call for a renewed equity focus and
investment in interventions that target the most vulnerable to ensure that all
children enjoy their rights. The latest
round of MICS also provides new data on areas such as family planning choices, lifestyle
choices, providing key information critical for public health policies.

“This research serves as a roadmap and
highlights where we need to focus and areas where we can continue to improve
health care, and the vulnerable groups we need to target efforts towards,” said
Mr. Nasuf Ipcja, State Secretary of the Ministry of Health.

MICS is an international household
survey programme developed and supported by UNICEF. Conducted every five years,
it provides up-to-date information on the situation of children and women,
which helps monitor progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and other
international commitments. The survey results
presented today were part of the fourth round of MICS and based on a nationally
representative sample survey of households, women and children. In addition to
carrying out MICS on a nationally representative sample, in this country a
survey was also carried out on a separate sample of Roma settlements. It provides an abundant source of
invaluable, statistically sound, and, internationally comparable data across a
range of indicators, in health, nutrition, child protection, education, and
general living conditions.

Download the MICS4 full repot in English
or Macedonian. It includes results from the national and Roma community sample, providing
compelling evidence of inequities.